A quarter of eye patients continue to favour GP

A quarter of UK patients turn to their GP rather than optometrist with eye problems despite a lack of confidence among doctors compared to other health conditions.

In new research commissioned by Optegra Eye Health Care this week, 44 per cent of GPs said they felt less confident in identifying eye conditions than other parts of the body, such as ears, heart and lungs.

The Vision of Britain report also found that 32 per cent of GPs felt ‘de-skilled’ in diagnosing eye conditions and two in five said they need more, or refresher, training on all eye conditions. A further 40 per cent said they would refer eye problems to a specialist more quickly than other parts of the body.